Cristina Ramirez
Founder & Artistic Director
Cristina (Siegel) Ramirez is the passionate and driven Founder and Artistic Director of Coalesce Center for Dance Artistry, a thriving dance studio dedicated to fostering talent and creativity. With a lifelong love of dance that began at the young age of four, Cristina's journey in the arts has been nothing short of wonderful. From studying ballet, tap, modern, and jazz in her youth to earning a dance scholarship to DeSales University, where she graduated with a BA in Dance and a minor in Italian, Cristina has always been committed to excellence in her craft.
During her college years, Cristina had the privilege of learning from esteemed professors such as Timothy Cowart, Angela Sigley, and Trinette Singleton (Joffrey Ballet), and performing for renowned choreographers like Tara Madsen Robbins and Camille Armstrong. Her dedication to dance led her to become a certified Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) instructor, further enhancing her skills and knowledge in the field. As a member of the Lady Hoofers, Philadelphia's all-female professional tap company, Cristina continued to hone her craft while teaching in various counties and expanding her dance repertoire.
Under her leadership, the past seasons at Coalesce have been marked by growth, success, and a strong sense of community among teachers, students, and families. Cristina attributes this success to the unwavering dedication, support, and kindness that define the studio's culture. Heading into the 6th Season, Cristina is excited to continue leading a talented group of faculty members, families, and students who share her vision and values, making Coalesce a place where passion, creativity, and camaraderie thrive.
Jill Harrison Kalfin
Office Administrator, Substitute Instructor
Jill has an impressive and diverse background in the dance industry. She served as the Owner/Director of Jill’s Dance Center in Jupiter, Florida for 15 years. Her students excelled under her guidance, consistently winning top awards in performances and competitions. Jill also contributed to the arts community as a staff member at the prestigious Burt Reynolds Institute for Theater Training and The Jupiter Theater.
Upon relocating to New York City, Jill took on the role of Creative Director at Steps on Broadway, where she oversaw the Scholarship Program,
The Youth School, and where she produced the Annual Faculty Dance Concert. She also spearheaded the development of the Steps Ensemble Performance Company, showcasing her innovative and visionary approach to dance education. Throughout her career, Jill has demonstrated a passion for teaching and nurturing young talent.
After adopting a beautiful baby girl from China, Jill's journey led her to New Hope, Pennsylvania, where she founded The Dance Junction. Later, her family moved to California, where she lent her expertise to two accomplished Broadway performers at Broadway Arts Studio as an administrator and teacher.
Now, Jill is excited to bring her wealth of experience and creativity to Coalesce in Bucks County, a community that holds a special place in her heart. Her dedication to the art of dance and commitment to fostering a love for movement in others, continues to inspire and uplift those around her.
Jaimie Geddes
2024-2025 Instructor
Jaimie Geddes has been dancing for the past 33 years and has been teaching in New Jersey and Pennsylvania for the past 14 years. She trained in ballet, tap, jazz and lyrical at Jazz Unlimited Studio of Dance Arts in NJ, winning numerous regional and national titles. She had the privilege of studying with Meghan Braun, Molly Misgalla, Mia Michaels, Joe Lanteri, and Andy Blankenbuehler.
Her love of dance led to a passion for musical theatre, and she went on to obtain a BFA in musical theatre from NYU. She has since played many iconic roles including Peggy Sawyer in 42nd Street, Cassie in A Chorus Line, Velma Kelly in Chicago, Charity Hope Valentine in Sweet Charity, Lola in Damn Yankees, Sally Bowles in Cabaret, and Sandy in Grease. She is currently a member of the resident company at Music Mountain Theatre in Lambertville, NJ.
She has taught at different studios throughout Bucks and Montgomery counties in addition to spending 5 years as the dance choreographer at the Pennsylvania State Thespian Conference in York, PA and assisted Tony nominated choreographer Lorin Lotarro (Broadway's Waitress, Into the Woods) at the Bucks County Playhouse. She most recently got her BSN and works in oncology and hematology. She is excited to continue to share her passion for technique training and performance with Coalesce!
Elizabeth Miles
2024-2025 Instructor
Elizabeth Miles has over 40 years of ballet and contemporary dance teaching experience in private schools, dance companies, and educational institutions.
Elizabeth is skilled in teaching both Vaganova and Cecchetti Techniques, she is RAD (Royal Academy of Dance) Certified, SIlver Swans Certified (RAD), and is proficient in Martha Graham Modern Technique. Her experience in the arts gives her dancers a pre-professional training experience. Additional training was received from the following: Ballet Trianon, Martha Graham School, Academy of Dance (Wilmington DE,) David Howard (NYC, NY,) Vladimir Dowkoudovsky (NYC, NY,) Temple University (Philadelphia, PA,) Joan Kerr-Horton Technique, Dermott Burke (Princeton, NJ.)
Elizabeth Miles was a company member and soloist for Ballet Trianon for 10 years under the direction of Michael Lopuszanski in Philadelphia, PA. She then became the Assistant Professor of the Department of Theatre at the University of Delaware in Newark for 5 years. Elizabeth has also worked as a ballet coach at Brandywine Ballet Theatre under the direction of Donna Muzio in West Chester, PA, as a choreographer at Rita Jones Dance Company in Philadelphia, PA, as the Ballet Mistress at Dance Elite for Classical Ballet for 15 years under the direction of Delana Blore, among others.
Dance provides students with a sense of discipline and an appreciation for art and beauty. Movement like everything else in life has a rhythm that stirs the soul and awakens a passion for life. Whether a student is working toward a career in dance or taking class for personal enjoyment, the training and the dedication of the instructor is the same.
Donna Heffner
2024-2025 Instructor
Donna Heffner is a tap dancer from the suburbs of Philadelphia Pa. She grew up tap dancing as well as other styles but quickly knew tap was her passion. She started teaching students and adults in and around Philadelphia for the last 18 years, and started a tap company 5 years ago for Adults. Her company Buck and Wing Tap is open to any adult tap dancer who wishes to perform. They have performed in PA, NJ and NYC.
Donna’s technical and professional training includes learning from some of the biggest names and masters in Tap.She spent a week with Heather Cornell in NY at her tap labs, and took one of her EddieBrown workshops, as well as master classes.In 2022 Donna attended a week long study for tap choreographers with Karida Griffith inPortland, and completed a Tap teacher training course.Donna has also studied tap at University of the Arts in Philadelphia with Corinne Karonand Robert Burden. She’s been to numerous tap festivals, conventions, and taken classes at Broadways Dance Center NYC and Steps on Broadway.
Her performances in tap have taken her to NYC, Washington DC, Philadelphia and NJ.
She is a long time member of Uniting Colleges Through Tap in Philadelphia. She is also a prize winner level Irish dancer.When not teaching or doing choreography she is also an adjudicator for 2 dance competitions on the East coast.Donna is also one of the few remaining toe tap dancers in the world
Rachel Neitzke is a Philadelphia-based dancer, choreographer, and dance educator. She received much of her early professional training at Koresh Dance Company and studied Ballet under the direction of Alexei and Natalia Charov. Ms. Neitzke holds a BFA in Dance from The University of the Arts. She has had the opportunity to work with artists such as Francesca Harper, Milton Myers, Andrea Millier, Roni Koresh, Meredith Rainey, and Sidra Bell. Upon graduating Ms. Neitzke’s passion for teaching and dancing alike has taken her throughout the United States and abroad. She has served as a Teaching Artist at The Philadelphia Performing Arts Charter School, The School of Philadelphia Ballet, The Rock School, and more.
Rachel Neitzke
2024-2025 Instructor
Mary Kacsur has been dancing for over 16 years, training in various styles such as ballet, pointe, contemporary, tap, modern, jazz, Horton, hip hop and more. She is currently a student at The University of Michigan working towards her dual-degree of a BFA Dance and Cognitive Science on the pathway to Speech Pathology. At The U of M, she was a part of the SMTD First-Year Touring Company, where 18 company members travel to local events, schools, and fundraisers in Michigan to share their passion for dance. Mary grew up dancing at The Pennsylvania School of The Performing Arts and was a company member for 11 years.
In addition to PSPA, Mary trained with Hubbard Street Dance in Chicago, The Pennsylvania Ballet, The Princeton Ballet School, McCarter Theatre in Princeton, Steps NYC, Broadway Dance Center, Radio City Rockette Workshops, and Joffrey Ballet. Mary is a CB East Alumna and participated in many Patriot Players Productions as an actress, singer, and Dance Captain. In the arts, she has earned the roles of Tiger Lily in Peter Pan and Kristine in A Chorus Line.
Mary has a passion for teaching students of all ages, levels, and abilities to enjoy dance while developing strong technique and expressing their artistic selves.
Mary Kacsur
Summer Instructor
Brittany Hercik is a graduate of DeSales University with a B.A. in Dance and TV/Film. She also holds certification through Dance Masters of America Teachers Training School. During her time in college, Brittany served as President of the DeSales University Dance Team along with teaching for the school’s Conservatory of Dance. She also interned at Pentacle, a non-profit dance organization in NYC during her junior and senior year of college. She has performed in many dance concerts and showcases getting the opportunity to recreate work from Charles Weidman, work with the New Street Dance Group, and Natalie Desch, a former Limon Dance Company and Doug Varone member to name a few. Other performance experiences include the American Dance College Festival Association, the Philadelphia Fringe Festival, the Dance New Amsterdam College Exchange Program and numerous other performances throughout the area. Her choreography has been seen at DeSales University, McConnellsburg High School, countless dance on camera productions and many dance competitions. Brittany is currently on the dance faculty at Arts Academy Charter Middle School in Allentown, PA and also runs the En L’Airs Dance Team after school. Brittany is thrilled to share her passion for dance with others and looks forward to what the future holds.